Housing A Nomad

Abstract: The thesis  is set in Mongolia, looking specifically at Ulaanbaatar City. As a native Mongolian with an educational background in a European context, an opportunity was presented to offer a critical appraisal of the city from an outsiders perspective informed by a deeper cultural understanding of the context. The city is observed from a masterplanning scale starting from the beginnings of its built urban history to its current state. An interrogation of the development plans for 2020/ 2030 and research conducted during a site visit in January provides the basis for a housing proposal. The design proposal acts as a criticism on the development seen during the urbanization of Ulaanbaatar and is a reactionary response to the problems identified during the first half of the thesis. A unit and tower typology is developed that attempts to study the traditional form of dwelling, a ger, while also being informed by the soviet architecture and decoration seen throughout the city. The site strategy employed addresses issues of preservation of ger districts, the downsizing of green public spaces within the city and a lack of architectural intent in the recent housing tower blocks that is invading the city fabric.